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South Colonie adopts districtwide safety plan; district to add cardiac-response plan, key‑fob access and reunification arrangements
Summary
The South Colonie Central School District board approved its 2025–26 districtwide school safety plan including a state-mandated cardiac emergency response plan to be implemented by January 2026, expansion of key‑fob access and a reunification partner; board also noted a $10,000 PERMA grant for classroom/bus safety purchases.
The South Colonie Central School District board on Aug. 26 approved the districtwide school safety plan for the 2025–26 school year, formalizing a state-required cardiac emergency response plan and outlining upgrades to building access and emergency response partnerships.
District Superintendent Dr. Perry told the board the district has “developed a draft version” of a cardiac emergency response plan that must be in place by January 2026. The plan and other revisions were presented by a district staff member identified as Chris, who reviewed changes required by the state and recent additions to the public-facing plan.
The plan adopted by the board reinforces existing relationships with local first responders, continues use of the Raptor visitor system districtwide and adds steps to reduce anxiety for students during drills; Dr. Perry said the state now requires notification to families when emergency drills occur so students understand a drill is not an actual emergency. The plan also documents workplace-violence prevention work completed in 2024–25 and a draft emergency action plan for after‑hours incidents.
Chris and Dr. Perry described security upgrades tied to ongoing capital projects: expanding fob (swipe) access to interior classroom doors during renovations, and moving toward a new lock/key system intended to reduce the number of physical keys in circulation. Chris said the district’s goal is to consolidate physical keys to “a grand master, a master, and a generalized room key” and to add badge access in renovated classrooms; he noted about 40 classrooms at the high school now have keyed access.
The safety presentation also noted a newly arranged reunification agreement with a neighboring community organization that will serve as an offsite reunification location if needed. Chris said finding a partner had been difficult for years but that an agreement has now been reached and may lead to reciprocal arrangements.
Dr. Perry reported the district received a $10,000 grant from PERMA to purchase safety equipment intended to reduce injuries in classrooms and on buses. The superintendent said the funds will be used for “stealthware” and other items to support staff safety.
On the board floor, members praised the plan as comprehensive. Christopher Larrabee, policy committee chair, and Rose Giglielow each urged colleagues to read the public plan; Giglielow called the report “comprehensive” and noted the district’s long-standing partnerships with police, fire and emergency services.
The board adopted the South Colonie districtwide school safety plan for 2025–26 on a 7–0 vote. The public-facing plan accompanies a substantially longer internal plan used for training; Chris said the internal document is far more detailed and used operationally by staff and first responders.
Implementation notes: the cardiac emergency response plan in the safety plan must be finalized and in place by January 2026, the district will continue phased rollouts of fob/key changes tied to capital work, and district staff said they will pursue reunification drills once the partner relationship is formalized.
